Charleston tightens coronavirus restrictions as cases grow. Here are the new rules
Tighter rules for face masks and social distancing, and a ban on amplified music after 9 p.m. go into effect in Charleston on Wednesday as city leaders try to control the spread of the coronavirus.
Elected leaders in South Carolina’s biggest city approved the new emergency orders Tuesday night. Charleston County has seen some of the highest new daily case numbers in the state over the past weeks, with hundreds of new positive tests each day.
The Department of Health and Environmental Control reported 412 more people tested positive in Charleston County on Tuesday.
More than 8,200 people in the county have tested positive for COVID-19 since the pandemic reached South Carolina in March, the most for any county in the state. DHEC estimates there’s more than 50,000 people infected who have not been tested in Charleston County.
Starting Wednesday, the new rules include:
- Masks required in all parts of the city
- Restaurants and bars restricted to 50% capacity
- Businesses allowed to turn away customers without masks
- No amplified music allowed after 9 p.m.
The new rules come with more enforcement and stiffer penalties. The city had been relying on Livability Code Enforcement Officers to make sure people were following the rules, but now the police department, fire marshal and building inspectors will join in enforcing the emergency orders.
The penalty for not wearing face marks was a civil fine of $50, but the new ordinance makes it a criminal offense with new fines. People can be fined $100 for the first offense, $200 for the second and $500 for the third time they’re caught without a mask.
Businesses that don’t follow the new rules could lose their business licenses.
The new rules are in addition to existing state and local orders, including no alcohol sales after 11 p.m., all theaters and venues remain closed, masks required in all indoor public spaces and limits on social gatherings.
